Letter to Thomas Bostick, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers of the US Army Corps of Engineers - Issuing American Rock Salt Final Permit It Needs to Build Critical Rail Extension

Letter

Dear Commanding General and Chief of Engineers Lieutenant General Thomas P. Bostick,

I write to urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to swiftly complete the processing of the permit required by American Rock Salt (ARS) to ensure that this important employer will not be forced to abandon a vital expansion project that will both boost local jobs and better safeguard the driving public this winter. Specifically, ARS has submitted a permit application to the USACE in accordance with the federal Nationwide Permit program to build a 1,500 foot extension to the existing railroad track at the rock salt mine. This upgrade will enable the mine to ship out de-icing rock salt on up to 100 railcars per day instead of its current 70 railcar per day capacity, as well as add up to 30 new jobs.

This past year's "Polar Vortex" winter spotlighted how vital it is to maximize and increase the ARS mine's rock salt output capacity. Specifically, during the bitter protracted weeks of cold weather many municipalities across New York State and the northeast United States depleted their rock salt reserves and looked to ARS to help resupply. But without the ability to ship more salt by rail, ARS was forced to ship rock salt by trucks which are less efficient, create more pollution and congestion, and are often delayed by bad weather. Therefore, ARS is planning to invest in this railroad upgrade ahead of this year's winter season which will allow the mine to immediately begin stockpiling more salt at their mine's fifteen remote stockpiles across the northeast.

It is critical that the USACE provide the permit so that construction of this expansion begins this month. Adhering to this construction timeline window is pivotal since road deicing materials must be placed at the fifteen regional stockpiles well before winter so that product is available in proximity to resupply municipalities and customers. Once winter begins, it is not possible to replenish these stockpiles at a high enough rate to meet demand -- as evidenced by last year's winter.

Last month the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) approved ARS's required state permit and thus construction can begin as soon as the USACE approves its federal permit. I understand these permits are required to ensure that there are proper protocols in place in the event any historic artifacts or remains are uncovered during construction.

Again, in light of this project's public safety benefits and the 30 new jobs that hang in the balance, I strongly request the USACE expedite review and consideration of ARS' permit application so that this needed expansion can begin this month. I appreciate your assistance with this matter.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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